Wishek

It’s a town’s uniqueness that draws visitors. It might be an attraction or an event that causes Main Street to swell with visitors from miles – sometimes hundreds of miles around. The south-central North Dakota town of Wishek has found its niche and one day a year you can smell it as soon as you hit the city limits. It’s Sauerkraut Day.

For 92 years in October, the friendly people of Wishek have served kraut and wieners to whoever shows up, which sometimes numbers in the thousands. It also includes a pie sale, ice cream, kuchen, vendors and live music – accordions mostly in keeping with the regions Germans-from-Russia heritage.

When you’re done stuffing yourself, burn off some calories with a few games of bowling at Wishek Bowling Lanes. Or, during summer, head out to Tri-County Speedway for dirt track racing. If you’re into golfing, play nine – or 18 – holes at Lloyd Rigler Golf Club just outside of town. The grass greens are welcoming and there’s not a lot of waiting.